THE CARIBBEAN HEALTH

REGIONAL MEASLES ALERT ISSUED BY PAHO

REGIONAL MEASLES ALERT ISSUED BY PAHO
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By Avellon Williams

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO – Several countries, including the Caribbean, have received an alert from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) urging them to update their response plans to prevent the return of endemic measles transmission.

This is the result of reduced childhood vaccination coverage, which increases the likelihood of outbreaks of this disease.

“Vaccination and epidemiological surveillance of vaccine-preventable diseases are essential health services and should not be interrupted,” the alert stated.

/Image, AOA/

The risk of outbreaks of vaccine-preventable diseases in the region is at its highest level in 30 years, according to PAHO’s Technical Advisory Group (TAG).

In 2021, PAHO estimates more than 1.7 million children in 28 countries and territories in the Americas did not receive their first dose of the measles vaccine.

Measles, mumps, and rubella (MMR) vaccination coverage topped 85 percent in 2021, according to PAHO. The study found that only six countries had reached the level of 95 percent or more that was needed to eliminate these diseases, and ten countries had coverage levels of less than 80 percent. Even though measles is a highly contagious and serious virus, there is a vaccine that is safe and effective for it.

According to the report, the measles vaccine prevented an estimated 23.2 million deaths between 2000 and 2018. In 2016, the Americas were declared measles-free.

Despite this, PAHO reported an increase in imported cases in the region between 2017 and 2019, with the most significant outbreaks occurring in Brazil and Venezuela, where the virus is still widespread.

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Avellon Williams

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